Today Google is issuing a couple of changes to the Chrome Web Store, the inclusion of two new badges for Chrome extensions which are the Featured Badge and the Established Publisher Badge. These badges were discovered back on April 12, but as of today Google has made them official. While these are minor changes, Google thinks it will help Chrome users have an easier time tracking down the best quality extensions to enhance their browser experience.
And who’s to say that won’t end up being the case for many users? The new badges will be live today and should already be populated in the Chrome Web Store. You’ll see the badges located below the name of an extension after you click on it to view more information. It might take you a bit to come across extensions that have these badges though. Then again it may not.
The badges will no doubt serve a useful purpose. But there doesn’t seem to be any way to filter extensions by these two new badges. So you’ll just have to browse extensions as normal. Then make a note of any badges you see while sifting through potential options.
Featured badges are for Chrome Extensions that follow best practices
Google isn’t just going to be handing these out to extensions like candy. That’s not to say these will be extremely coveted and hard to come by. However, Google does seem to be putting down a set of requirements that need to be met. Google says that Chrome extensions which follow its technical best practices will receive featured badges.
This includes respecting the privacy of end-users and using the latest platform APIs. In addition to a store listing page that uses good quality images and describes the extension adequately and thoroughly to the user.
As for the Established Publisher badges, users will see these on Extensions that come from developers which are both verified and have a proven track record that’s consistently positive with Google Services and complies with the Developer Program Policy.
Google says that developers cannot pay to receive these badges, and that each one must essentially be earned. The badges should help users weed out extensions that may not be worth their time.